on iraq, hagel called the 2007 troop surge 'the most dangerous foreign policy blunder since vietnam.' even some of us who came to defend a policy strongly had initial doubt. in any event, u.s. troops are now home from iraq. on iran, the nominee has expressed doubts over possible u.s. air strikes even as tehran continues its march towards nuclear weapons capability. but the president has declared repeatedly is from the that iran must not be allowed a nuclear weapon. hagel's skepticism about a hard line could be a welcome antidote to a strong consensus leaning towards the use of force in coming months. on afghanistan, it is important that hagel show an open mindedness about our policy. he has long been a skeptic, but that is ok as long as hagel understands where we are in the campaign plans the and recommends any changes with utmost care." larry, okla., a democrat. please go ahead. caller: i am a democrat, 72- year-old vietnam veteran. i would prefer a democrat, naturally, but hearing and watching about hagel, he seems like a rarity -- a republican with a good sense. so i am all for him